Well, this was a predictable episode. I finally watched this one, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. Well, it was nice to return to the library-portion of the Shippou City museum at the beginning of the episode. It looked like there were people in there studying. I wonder if Aloe teaches a class. I hope not. When Kidachi opened that door at the end of the library, I thought we'd see the battle field but instead, there were just more books. LOLWOTT? Dento and Aloe seemed to have a conversation while there. I think Dento introduced himself, so that must mean he didn't know her before. Oops. Anyway, it seemed that Ash had to solve a quick puzzle before the battle, which isn't something that usually happens, so I liked that little change. Ash chose a book from the bookcase near Aloe, and the staircase to the battle field was revealed. How very accurate to the in-game events. I noticed that Kidachi was still calling Aloe, "mama". That does sound really awkward. I know that it's a term of endearment, but it sounds weird. Those two are just an odd couple. Well, Aloe then talked about something involving kids choosing books, so I guess she was mentioning previous challengers or something. Whatever, I doubt it was relevant to the events that were happening. Aloe then showed Ash and friends to the battle field. Finally, geez. Was all that stuff back there, just filler material to make this episode longer? I think so! We got some neat Isshu route music as Ash got all excited about the battle. Geez Ash, don't wet yourself. Aloe then did something I hadn't expected: she put on her apron. What?! I thought for sure that she would keep it off for the battle. Whatever. Aloe then sent out Miruhoggu, which scared the living daylights out of me! I mean, look at those eyes! AHHH! Aloe then sent out her next Pokemon, a Yooterii. Wow, I thought it looked really cute, and apparently so did Iris. Iris started to pet it, and it looked happy enough. Yooterii licking Ash's face was cute. Hmm. WiseDogShipping, anyone? Haha, I'm kidding. Dento did something faaaabulous, and then Kidachi explained more about the battle. Anyway, the battle finally started, after about 10 minutes of filler talking scenes. Aloe chose to use Yooterii as her first Pokemon, but Yooterii looked really vicious at the start of the battle. Even Iris noticed and she looked shocked. God, I hope that for Ash's sake, that dog had its rabies shots. Ash sent out Pokabu as his first Pokemon. That choice wasn't my personal favorite though, but whatever.; I learned to live with it. Just as Ash was going to have Pokabu use Ember, Aloe's Yooterii used Roar attack. Haha, I guess its bark was worse than its bite. Anyway, that attack sent Pokabu back into its Pokeball and Mijumaru was sent out! Yessssss! It looked so cute since it had apparently been sleeping. It started freaking out when it realized that it was no longer safe inside of its Pokeball. Haha, Mijumaru never gets old.
Aloe then did something strange: she recalled Yooterii. What what what?! Since when are Gym Leaders allowed to recall Pokemon? I thought that one of the rules was that they couldn't, and only the challenger could. Cheater! Aloe sent out Miruhoggu, and even Mijumaru seemed to dislike the beast haha. Ash was going to recall it, but Miruhoggu used Mean Look. Fudge! I guess Aloe knows her strategies. Mijumaru looked pissed though haha. It used Water Gun on Miruhoggu, but that didn't work and it just got hit by Low Kick. Wow, that thing was fast. Mijumaru was angry, and it finally got serious. Miruhoggu used Thunderbolt, but Mijumaru deflected it with its shell. Yay! Aloe looked stunned, but I still knew she was a real challenge. Mijumaru managed to hit Miruhoggu with Water Gun and was going to follow it with Shell Blade, but Miruhoggu countered it with its tail. Shoot. Mijumaru's shell went flying, and without it, it couldn't deflect the next Thunderbolt attack and it lost. What?! Mijumaru needs more victories! Aloe recalled Miruhoggu (cheater!) and sent Yooterii out as Ash sent out Pokabu. Pokabu tried to attack, but it missed. Yooterii was just too fast and it used Shadow Ball, which hurt Pokabu. Oh come on. Pokabu then used Ember against Yooterii, but the Yooterii used Take Down and it managed to run through the fire and hit Pokabu. Then, quite predictably, Pokabu fainted. Aloe (the cheater) won the battle then. Well, at least Ash thanked Aloe for the battle. That was nice. Ash was then seen at the Shippou City Pokemon Center, feeling sorry for himself after his loss. Iris and Dento tried to cheer him up though. Ash started getting mad though. Jeez, he could be a little nicer to his only friends in the Isshu region. Nurse Joy appeared then with Pokabu and Mijumaru. Nurse Joy then seemed to recommend that Ash train at the Battle Club. You know, because it's so obviously her business. Anyway, that night, Team Rocket started putting their plan into action. Jessie and Meowth broke into the museum and they quickly switched the meteorite with a fake right after James turned off the security lasers for a few seconds. That was smooth, but I still dislike the new serious Team Rocket. I noticed cars on the road when they were leaving though; that was a nice touch. We don't usually get cars in this anime. Anyway, in the morning Ash and friends went to the Battle Club to talk to the town's Don George. Ash seemed to tell him the entire story about the Gym battle, and Don George agreed to help Ash train there in the Battle Club. It sure looked mighty intense as the door in the facility opened, but I'm sure that Ash will manage to get his training done. One thing is certain: you're not gonna reach his telephone, 'cause he's out in the club, sippin' that bub. Anyway, I knew Ash would lose, but I liked that he set his sights on training before this episode ended. That's why I'm giving this Gym battle episode, a nice 8/10. It was entertaining enough. Stay faaaabulous~